FIRE ANT

Pest Identification:

Appearance:

There are three main species of fire ant in Arizona - the most common being the southern fire ant. Depending on their position in the colony, these ants range in size from 1/16 of an inch to a quarter of an inch. They are reddish-brown in color.

Habits:

These ants prefer warm, dry surroundings and may build a colony in an open field or lawn. Fire ants usually build mounds for their colonies outside, but will also venture indoors if they find a source of food.

Diet:

Fire ants will eat sweet, fatty foods, as well as other insects.

Reproduction:

The average lifespan of a worker fire ant is five months. Queens can live up to seven years, laying thousands of eggs in a single day.

Stinging:

When attacked, fire ants are very aggressive and will often sting predators to defend themselves and their colony. Their venom is only dangerous in large quantities, or for people and animals with an allergy to the venom.